Kerry Coombs not only spent a lot of time coaching at Ohio State, but he diligently recruited both the Detroit and his native Cincinnati areas. The last major thing that former Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore did was hire Coombs as the special teams coordinator, and he was one of a handful of coaches retained by new head coach Kyle Whittingham (Lou Esposito was retained, but ended up departing for the NFL).
And now, Michigan is reaping the benefits, it seems.
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Last week, 2027 Cincinnati (Ohio) Princeton four-star cornerback Monsanna Torbert visited the Buckeyes and got three Rivals predictions that he would end up at OSU. However, he took a visit to Ann Arbor for Victors Weekend, and the tables appear to be turning. The 5-foot-10.5, 173-pound defensive back received two predictions that he will eventually choose the Wolverines — one by The Wolverine’s Ethan McDowell, and another from Rivals recruiting insider Allen Trieu.
Ohio State still has the advantage, with two predictions earlier in the week and another from May. However, Michigan appears to be surging for the nation’s No. 70 overall player, according to Rivals.
Here is the scouting report from Rivals:
Athletic two-way playmaker with high level instincts that project well as a defensive back. Measured at around 5-foot-10, 165 pounds prior to his senior season. Has good length for his size, with arms that measure 31.5 inches. Tests as a plus athlete in the combine setting with some of the best vertical jump numbers in the cycle. Has good top end speed in the combine setting along with showing the ability to crack 11.0 seconds in the 100 meters on the track. Operates as a dual threat quarterback and safety for his high school team. Shows range and instincts in coverage. Jumps passes and has outstanding play speed when taking interceptions the other way. Has fared well as a corner in the camp setting. Shows quick feet and is able to react and flip his hips off the line of scrimmage. Has the long speed to stay in-phase on vertical routes. Does a nice job turning to locate the football. Also an active and willing run defender. Tallied 40 tackles, three interceptions (two pick sixes) along with 2,241 yards and 30 touchdowns on offense as a junior. A bit undersized for the position and will need to continue adding mass to his frame while also honing his technique. Has intriguing upside given his level of skill despite the lack of experience working as a pure corner. Has the ability to be an impact player at multiple spots in the secondary with the upside to develop into a NFL Draft pick.
If Michigan manages to secure Torbert, that would be a massive win for Kyle Whittingham, going head-to-head against Ohio State for an elite in-state player and getting him to Ann Arbor. And given there is waning optimism for five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, this would help Michigan fans feel a bit of a softened blow.
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This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football gains two predictions for Ohio DB Monsanna Torbert
